This last tribute, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, will be held in Notre-Dame du Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa. A celebration in the presence of Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Denis Sassou-Nguesso. The body of the late cardinal in the DRC must then be buried in the cathedral along with his predecessors.
With our special correspondent in Kinshasa, Sonia Rolley
Many religious leaders from the sub-region responded to this Mass. It was celebrated by five cardinals, of course the one from Congo, Fridolin Ambongo, but there is also the Central African Republic, the Archbishop of Bangui Dieudonné Nzapalainga. It was the latter who made the funeral word, partly in Lingala, which was warmly applauded.
Archbishop of Ouagadougou Philippe Ouédraogo, Cardinal of Burkina Faso, officiated at the Eucharist. The cardinals of Nigeria and even Rwanda as well as the presidents and vice presidents of the bishops’ conferences in Chad and Congo-Brazzaville are also present. Everyone wanted to be able to hire Laurent Monsengwo.
Laurent Monsengwo often represented Africa. In fact, he became president of the symposium for the bishops’ conferences in Africa and Madagascar in 1997. He was also elected as the representative of Africa to support Pope Francis in the reform of the Roman Curia. The pope also sent a message of condolences to greet the scientist, the great spiritual man, or even “this pastor intensely devoted to the service of the Church.” Other Vatican officials also delivered messages.
Laurent Monsengwo must then be buried in the vault of Notre-Dame du Congo Cathedral, along with his predecessors, Cardinals Frédéric Etsou Nzabi and Joseph-Albert Malula. The funeral ceremony will be held in a small committee in the presence of the two heads of state and the church leaders present.
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